[Born 1580. Died 1653. Aged 73.]
An early and generous benefactor to the city of Manchester. One of
Fuller’s “Worthies of England.” He made a large fortune by sending
Manchester commodities up to London; and during his life-time he
invested his gains in the education of twenty-two poor boys. At his
death he left money enough to provide for the suitable education of
forty boys; and he also bequeathed £1000 for the purchase of books for a
general library, as well as £100 for the erection of a building to
receive them. At the present hour 100 boys are educated, maintained, and
clothed, by the munificence of Humphrey Chetham, and more than 23,000
volumes are open to all who desire to improve themselves by reading. The
statue of which the one in the Crystal Palace is a cast, has been
recently raised to the memory of this pious and benevolent man, by one
who, in early life, partook of Humphrey Chetham’s bounty. The name of
the grateful recipient is unknown; but he need not blush to make it
public. The statue may be seen in Manchester Cathedral--a monument of
affectionate reverence and gratitude, as well as of Christian
well-doing.
[For an account of this statue, see Handbook to Modern Sculpture, No.
62.]